Cohen, 51, a former four-term mayor, held a commanding lead in seven of the eight precincts with results from the last one pending as of 8:40 p.m. The totals as yet do not include the two write-in candidates, city councilors Cecilia P. Calabrese and Paul C. Cavallo. Figures on the write-ins are not expected until 10 p.m. this evening.

Unoffcially Cohen had 3,634 votes to 2,699 for Benton with only precinct 5 still hanging in the balance.

Precinct 5 has been unofficially been won by Cohen but the totals are unavailable at this time.